Each year on or around June 15, communities and municipalities around the world plan activities and programs to recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a day set aside to spread awareness of the abuse of the elderly (Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2013). The abuse of older adults is a growing concern and statistics suggest that the number of elders experiencing abuse is an alarmingly high number. Research suggests that close to half the people diagnosed with dementia experience some form of abuse (Cooper, C., Selwood, A., Blanchard, M., Walker, Z., Blizard, R., & Livingston, G., 2009; Wiglesworth, A., Mosqueda, L., Mulnard, R., Liao, S., Gibbs, L., & Fitzgerald, W., 2010, as cited on http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/Library/Data/index.aspx). Elder abuse takes on many forms and can include physical, emotional, psychological, and economic abuse. The legendary American actor, Mickey Rooney, spoke to the United States Senate, describing his own experiences of pain and neglect at the hands of his stepson, asking legislators to take seriously the abuse of the elderly. For this Discussion, go to the Walden Library and find a scholarly article that presents some of the most important psychosocial issues related to elder abuse. By Day 4 Post a summary of the article you found. How does the article reinforce the importance of assessing potential abuse and neglect when working with the elderly? Describe prevention and/or intervention strategies on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels that can be used to address the issue of abuse and neglect of the elderly. Required Readings Åhsberg, E., Fahlström, G., Rönnbäck, E., Granberg, A., & Almborg, A. (2017). Development of an instrument for assessing elder care needs.  Research On Social Work Practice , 27(3), 291-306. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. Christ, G., & Diwan, S. (2008). Chronic illness and aging: The role of social work in managing chronic illness care. Council on social work education . Retrieved from http://www.cswe.org/getattachment/Centers-Initiatives/CSWE-Gero-Ed-Center/Teaching-Tools/Gero-Competencies/Practice-Guides/Assignments-Measurments/CI-Sec2-Role-SW.pdf.aspx  Harrington, A. (2016). The importance of spiritual assessment when caring for older adults.  Ageing And Society , 36 (1), 1-16. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. Paveza, G. J. (2013). Assessment of the elderly. In M. J. Holosko, C. N. Dulmus, & K. M. Sowers (Eds.), Social work practice with individuals and families: Evidence-informed assessments and interventions (pp. 177–195). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014a). Sessions: case histories . Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader]. The Petrakis Family (pp. 20–22) Required Media Laureate Education (Producer). (2013c). Petrakis family: Episode 3 [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu Accessible player --Download.

1. Each year on or around June 15, communities and municipalities
around the world plan activities and programs to recognize
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a day set aside to spread
awareness of the abuse of the elderly (Center of Excellence on
Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2013). The abuse of older adults is a
growing concern and statistics suggest that the number of elders
experiencing abuse is an alarmingly high number. Research
suggests that close to half the people diagnosed with dementia
experience some form of abuse (Cooper, C., Selwood, A.,
Blanchard, M., Walker, Z., Blizard, R., & Livingston, G., 2009;
Wiglesworth, A., Mosqueda, L., Mulnard, R., Liao, S., Gibbs,
L., & Fitzgerald, W., 2010, as cited on
http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/Library/Data/index.aspx). Elder abuse
takes on many forms and can include physical, emotional,
psychological, and economic abuse. The legendary American
actor, Mickey Rooney, spoke to the United States Senate,
describing his own experiences of pain and neglect at the hands
of his stepson, asking legislators to take seriously the abuse of
the elderly.
For this Discussion, go to the Walden Library and find a
scholarly article that presents some of the most important
psychosocial issues related to elder abuse.
By Day 4
Post a summary of the article you found. How does the article
reinforce the importance of assessing potential abuse and
neglect when working with the elderly? Describe prevention
and/or intervention strategies on the micro, mezzo, and macro
levels that can be used to address the issue of abuse and neglect
of the elderly.

2. Required Readings
Åhsberg, E., Fahlström, G., Rönnbäck, E., Granberg, A., &
Almborg, A. (2017). Development of an instrument for
assessing elder care needs.
Research On Social Work Practice
, 27(3), 291-306.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Christ, G., & Diwan, S. (2008). Chronic illness and aging: The
role of social work in managing chronic illness care.
Council on social work education
. Retrieved from http://www.cswe.org/getattachment/Centers-
Initiatives/CSWE-Gero-Ed-Center/Teaching-Tools/Gero-
Competencies/Practice-Guides/Assignments-Measurments/CI-
Sec2-Role-SW.pdf.aspx
Harrington, A. (2016). The importance of spiritual assessment
when caring for older adults.
Ageing And Society
,
36
(1), 1-16.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Paveza, G. J. (2013). Assessment of the elderly. In M. J.
Holosko, C. N. Dulmus, & K. M. Sowers (Eds.),
Social work practice with individuals and families: Evidence-
informed assessments and interventions
(pp. 177–195). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

3. Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014a).
Sessions: case histories
. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities
Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].
The Petrakis Family (pp. 20–22)
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2013c).
Petrakis family: Episode 3
[Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Accessible player --Downloads--Download Video
w/CCDownload AudioDownload TranscriptCredit: Provided
courtesy of the Laureate International Network of Universities.
Optional Resources
Use this link to access the MSW home page, which provides
resources for your social work program.